How do narcissists act after breakup?

At the end of a relationship, narcissists may become combative, passive-aggressive, hostile, and even more controlling. People with NPD often fail to understand other people's needs and values. They are hyper focused on their egos, but do not account for how their actions affect others.

choosingtherapy.com - What a Narcissist Does at the End of a Relationship - Choosing Therapy

Do couples who meet online last?

Titled "Relative Strangers: The Importance of Social Capital for Marriage," the study found that 12% of couples who meet online get divorced within...

Last updated Mar 25, 2019

Is it okay to beg God for help?

Just ask Him to help you pray 4. He has promised to do that. The God who wants to help you in your suffering wants to help you pray to him in a way...

Last updated Apr 10, 2022

Promotion

How Narcissists Act In Relationships

People with narcissistic personality disorder may act in seemingly erratic and intense ways when in relationships. One moment, it may seem like they adore everything about you. The next moment, you’re made to feel as if you’re the sole reason everything is falling apart. To add further complication, they often struggle with owning personal accountability, recognizing their flaws, and practicing humility. In narcissistic relationship patterns, they may present as needy for attention, unwavering in their beliefs and convictions, egocentric in the bedroom, and explosive when they feel threatened. Their emotional manipulation tactics can invariably trigger a vicious cycle of narcissistic abuse—especially if you’re an empath.

What Does a Narcissist Do at the End of a Relationship?

At the end of a relationship, narcissists may become combative, passive-aggressive, hostile, and even more controlling. People with NPD often fail to understand other people’s needs and values. They are hyper focused on their egos, but do not account for how their actions affect others. In many cases, they do whatever it takes to restore their sense of power. Here are seven things a narcissist may do at the end of a relationship:

1. Blame It on You

A narcissist will commonly try to incite guilt and shame. They may spin the narrative to blame their partner for why the relationship failed. This maintains their grandiose perception of themselves and gives them the leverage to try and convince others to empathize with them.

Here are phrases you might hear from a blaming narcissist:

“You didn’t want to give the relationship a fair chance”

“You are abandoning me when I need you the most”

“You don’t honor your commitments”

“You’re too selfish to care about my needs”

“You’re asking me to change too much”

2. Fight It

Some people with NPD will argue with the breakup. They may do this directly (“I won’t accept that”) or indirectly (“You’re being ridiculous. Let’s just talk it out”). Unfortunately, these strategies often wear down the other person. After all, it can seem easier to stay than engage in a fight.

Here are phrases you might hear from a fighting narcissist:

“You don’t really mean that”

How do you walk away from a relationship with dignity?

3 Keys to Ending a Relationship With Dignity Be certain you want to end the relationship. Don't threaten to leave in an effort to get your partner...

Last updated Feb 9, 2021

How can I make my man happy always?

Compliment him. ... Tell him you appreciate what he does for you and your family. ... Make time for things to get hot in the bedroom. ... Be...

Last updated Oct 16, 2020

Promotion

“You’re just overreacting, and I’m not going to listen to it”

“No, we’re sticking together; we promised to work this all out”

“You can’t back out now”

3. Make You Jealous

In an attempt to “get even,” people with NPD will often try to make their previous partners jealous. They may find a new partner almost immediately and post pictures and sappy messages about them all over social media. Their goal in doing this is multi-layered: they want you to feel as if they’ve moved on and they’re happier without you; they also want you to question your motives and second guess why you chose to end the relationship; they want to create the notion that they never cared about you in the first place. Unfortunately, jealousy can be effective. It can trigger feelings of insecurity and uncertainty and make you feel like you need to compete, which can cause you to focus on seeking revenge, rather than moving on and recovering from the narcissistic abuse.

4. Guilt You Into Staying

Many narcissistic abusers try to capitalize on guilt to control others. In fact, guilt is a key component in many abusive relationships (i.e., you feel guilty about ending things despite knowing you want out).1 If you’re in a pattern of ending things only to get back together quickly, it may be an indicator that you’re struggling with feeling guilt over prioritizing your own needs. Things you might hear from a narcissist who is trying to guilt you:

“I’m going to kill myself if you leave”

“There’s nobody else who understands me like you do”

“You’re really going to end this when I’m still grieving my mother’s death?” “I’ll be fine, I guess I’ll just be alone. Hopefully nothing bad happens”

5. Promise to Change

In many cases, people with NPD will make dramatic promises to change when they feel threatened. At times, they may even show some effort in making changes, although these efforts are rarely sustainable. It’s a misconception that narcissists don’t have insight into their behavior. In fact, emerging research shows that people with NPD are aware of their characteristics.2 However, this awareness often competes with their extraordinary need for control, entitlement, and recognition.

Here are some things you might hear from a promising narcissist:

What is gridlock in a relationship?

In relationships, gridlock occurs when both you and your partner are no longer willing to compromise on your needs, values and integrity. Sep 3, 2021

Last updated Nov 3, 2020

How to make a narcissist happy?

For a narcissist to be happy, you'll always have to accept their version of events as the truth. Otherwise, you'll be on the receiving end of their...

Last updated May 13, 2020

Promotion

“Things are going to be different”

“I’m going to go to therapy and get help”

“I’m really going to focus on working on my anger”

“You’re right. I’m ready now”

6. Stalk You

Stalking is a serious problem, and research shows that nearly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men experience it at some point during their lives.3 In most cases, the stalking is done by someone they know. It comes in many different forms, including showing up without warning, spying, and engaging in cyber tactics like installing tracking devices or hacking into password-protected material.

7. Feign Crises

While some crises or catastrophes may be legitimate, someone with NPD will often exploit certain stressors to solicit your attention. These crises are crafted to induce guilt, especially if they know exactly how to manipulate you.

Here are things you may hear from a crisis-feigning narcissist:

“I know we’re not together anymore, but I just wanted to let you know I’m waiting to hear back from the doctor about my concerning lab tests”

“Just letting you know that my dog died”

“I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been better; I just lost my job”

8. Seek Revenge

Unfortunately, people with NPD often struggle to accept a loss, and revenge is a tactic they may use if they feel attacked or threatened. In general, research shows that people are more likely to seek revenge when they feel motivated by power or the desire for status.4 If the narcissist can’t fight you or convince you to change your mind, they may try to hurt you in other ways.

Here are things you might hear from a revenge-seeking narcissist:

“I’m taking you to court. You’ll never see the kids again”

“You’re the bad guy here, and everyone will know soon enough”

“You’re going to regret this”

A narcissist may employ these tactics privately in one-on-one situations, or they may try to involve others in a move known as narcissistic triangulation.

choosingtherapy.com - What a Narcissist Does at the End of a Relationship - Choosing Therapy

What does BBS mean in text?

The abbreviation BBS is typically used in online and text-based communications to mean "Be Back Soon" to indicate that the sender will be away for...

Last updated Feb 7, 2018

How can I test my boyfriend?

34 Things To Do With Your Boyfriend To Test Whether He's The One Requesting your partner purchase a gift for a wedding or birthday – This tests his...

Last updated Apr 6, 2022

Promotion

What are most men's love language?

Well, the most common love language by far is quality time for both men and women. In fact, it's chosen so frequently that it's more than twice as...

Last updated Aug 7, 2020

Promotion

Do onions Work eyes?

Onions can give you good vision The selenium in onion helps in the production of vitamin E, which in turn keeps this painful eye problem at bay. In...

Last updated Oct 15, 2022